Hong Kong warned people yesterday not to approach or feed wild monkeys after Taiwan reported that some macaques have tested positive for a virus deadly to humans.

CHV-1, also known as Monkey B virus, is harmless to monkeys, but in humans it can cause acute encephalitis, which is often fatal.

The virus, usually contracted by lab workers, is transmitted by monkey bites, scratches or contact with fluids and tissue.

Health officials in Taiwan's second-biggest city, Kaohsiung, reported that wild monkeys in the Shou Mountain area tested positive for the virus, and warned hikers and tourists yesterday not to feed wild monkeys.

Although Hong Kong is known for its densely populated urban neighborhoods, the city also has large tracts of park space and undeveloped mountainous areas, where the monkeys live.

Donald Lam, a spokesperson for Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, said officials are monitoring the cases in Taiwan but have not begun testing monkeys in Hong Kong.

He added that the conservation department usually tells people to stay away from the animals even when there's no threat of infection because feeding or having other contact with the monkeys affects their natural behavior.

(CRI June 7, 2005)